Officiating two sports concurrently

[Rich]

Originally Posted by RadioBlue

I disagree with Rut and the others who say being around the sport is of no help when it comes to officiating. There are some benefits (knowledge of the game, seeing how the game is played, noticing in a general sense of what is "normal" in terms of game management and flow, etc.).

In other words, you are way ahead of someone who's never seen a football game. (Believe me, I've seen those types try and officiate. I saw a first-time baseball umpire show up to his first game with a whistle!)

With that being said, don't think for a second that your time around the game (whether playing or spectating) is going to give you much of a leg-up when it comes to officiating.

When you enter the world of officiating, come in with an open mind and a willingness to learn and work hard. My advice: don't come in believing you know a lot about the game(s), because you're just about to find out how little you really know. Best of luck to you!

The one thing that aggravates me is that coaches and casual fans think that people "that played the game" simply make better officials. I've heard some say that leagues should simply hire former players because "they understand and know the game."

You know what? There are some good/great ex-player officials. But they are great not because they played the game, but because they put the time and effort into learning how to officiate.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

You know what? There are some good/great ex-player officials. But they are great not because they played the game, but because they put the time and effort into learning how to officiate.

Agree. They are great officials because their love of the game motivates them to learn the rules and mechanics, and their personalities are such that they can manage a game.

Being an ex-player is neither necessary nor sufficient for this combination of love of the game and suitable personality.

[Suudy]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

You know what? There are some good/great ex-player officials. But they are great not because they played the game, but because they put the time and effort into learning how to officiate.

Originally Posted by mbyron

Agree. They are great officials because their love of the game motivates them to learn the rules and mechanics, and their personalities are such that they can manage a game.

Being an ex-player is neither necessary nor sufficient for this combination of love of the game and suitable personality.

I think ex-players become good/great officials faster than people who did not play. Ex-players have a feel for the flow of the game and anticipate action better than people who have not played. But that is tempered by (as jTheUmp pointed out) "knowing the rules as a player."

That being said, I do agree wholeheartedly that love of the game and personality are the keys to becoming good/great officials, and have a much greater impact on success than playing experience.

[CT1]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I've heard some say that leagues should simply hire former players because "they understand and know the game."

Until fairly recently, you couldn't get hired by the SEC unless you had played in the conference.

Which explains some things.